Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A foldable display device comprising: a panel pad unit; a first polymer layer disposed on the panel pad unit and comprising a first repeated subunit organic compound; a rigid layer disposed on the first polymer layer; a second polymer layer disposed on the rigid layer and comprising a second repeated subunit organic compound; a panel light-emitting unit disposed on the second polymer layer; and a third polymer layer disposed on the panel light-emitting unit and comprising a third repeated subunit organic compound, wherein: the panel light-emitting unit has a first non-foldable region, a second non-foldable region, and a foldable region between the first and second non-foldable regions; the rigid layer comprises a first portion corresponding to the first non-foldable region and a second portion corresponding to the second non-foldable region; and the panel pad unit is integrally formed with the panel light-emitting unit as a single piece such that the panel pad unit is connected to the panel light-emitting unit.
This invention relates to a foldable display device designed to address the challenges of flexibility and durability in display technologies. The device includes a panel pad unit serving as a base layer, onto which a first polymer layer is applied. This polymer layer contains a first repeated subunit organic compound, providing flexibility and structural support. A rigid layer is then placed on top of the first polymer layer, with this rigid layer divided into two portions corresponding to non-foldable regions of the display. A second polymer layer, containing a second repeated subunit organic compound, is disposed on the rigid layer, followed by a panel light-emitting unit that includes both non-foldable and foldable regions. The light-emitting unit is directly connected to the panel pad unit as a single, integrated piece, ensuring seamless functionality. Finally, a third polymer layer, containing a third repeated subunit organic compound, is applied over the light-emitting unit to enhance protection and flexibility. The design allows the display to fold at a central foldable region while maintaining rigidity in the non-foldable regions, improving durability and usability. The use of repeated subunit organic compounds in the polymer layers ensures consistent material properties and flexibility. This structure enables a robust, foldable display that can withstand repeated folding without compromising performance.
2. The foldable display device of claim 1 , wherein the rigid layer comprises metal.
A foldable display device includes a flexible display panel and a rigid layer that provides structural support. The rigid layer is made of metal, enhancing durability and rigidity while allowing the device to fold. The flexible display panel is attached to the rigid layer, enabling the device to bend or fold without damaging the display. The metal rigid layer may be integrated into specific regions of the device to maintain structural integrity during folding, such as along fold lines or hinge areas. This design prevents excessive stress on the display panel, ensuring longevity and reliability. The metal rigid layer may also serve as a heat dissipation component, improving thermal management in the device. The foldable display device is designed for use in portable electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, or laptops, where compactness and durability are essential. The metal rigid layer provides a balance between flexibility and rigidity, allowing the device to fold while maintaining structural stability. This invention addresses the challenge of creating a durable, foldable display that can withstand repeated folding without compromising performance or visual quality.
3. The foldable display device of claim 1 , wherein a neutral plane is configured to be formed in the panel light-emitting unit between the first portion and the second portion.
A foldable display device includes a panel light-emitting unit with a neutral plane formed between a first portion and a second portion. The neutral plane is positioned within the panel light-emitting unit to minimize stress and deformation when the device is folded. The first and second portions of the panel light-emitting unit are configured to fold relative to each other, allowing the display to transition between a flat and a folded state. The neutral plane ensures that the panel light-emitting unit maintains structural integrity and display performance during repeated folding and unfolding. The device may include additional components such as a flexible substrate, encapsulation layers, and conductive traces that support the folding mechanism while maintaining electrical connectivity. The neutral plane's placement reduces strain on the light-emitting elements, preventing damage and extending the lifespan of the display. This design is particularly useful for flexible or foldable electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, or wearable displays, where durability and reliability are critical. The neutral plane configuration helps achieve a compact form factor while preserving display functionality.
4. The foldable display device of claim 1 , further comprising a spacer layer disposed between the first polymer layer and the rigid layer.
A foldable display device includes a flexible display panel with a first polymer layer and a rigid layer. The rigid layer provides structural support to the display panel, while the first polymer layer enhances flexibility. The device is designed to address the challenge of maintaining display integrity and durability during repeated folding and unfolding. The spacer layer, positioned between the first polymer layer and the rigid layer, improves mechanical stability by reducing stress concentrations and preventing delamination. This layer can be made of a material with controlled thickness and elasticity to optimize folding performance. The spacer layer may also include adhesive properties to bond the first polymer layer and the rigid layer securely. The overall structure ensures that the display remains functional and visually clear even after prolonged use, addressing issues like creasing, cracking, or performance degradation in flexible displays. The device is particularly useful in portable electronics where compactness and durability are critical.
5. The foldable display device of claim 1 , wherein the second polymer layer has a visible light transmittance relatively less than that of the third polymer layer.
A foldable display device includes a flexible display panel with multiple polymer layers to enhance durability and optical performance. The device addresses challenges in maintaining display clarity and structural integrity during repeated folding and unfolding. The display panel comprises a first polymer layer, a second polymer layer, and a third polymer layer, each contributing to the device's mechanical and optical properties. The second polymer layer is designed with a lower visible light transmittance compared to the third polymer layer, optimizing light transmission while protecting internal components. This configuration ensures that the display remains functional and visually clear even when subjected to frequent bending or folding. The layers are arranged to distribute stress evenly, preventing damage to the display panel. The device may also include additional features such as a protective film or adhesive layers to further enhance durability. The overall design balances flexibility, transparency, and structural support, making it suitable for portable electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, or wearable displays. The invention improves upon existing foldable displays by addressing issues related to light transmission and mechanical wear, providing a more reliable and long-lasting solution.
6. The foldable display device of claim 1 , wherein the second polymer layer has a visible light transmittance relatively less than that of the first polymer layer.
A foldable display device includes a flexible display panel with multiple polymer layers. The device addresses the challenge of maintaining display performance while ensuring durability during repeated folding and unfolding. The display panel comprises a first polymer layer and a second polymer layer, where the second polymer layer has a lower visible light transmittance compared to the first polymer layer. This difference in transmittance allows the second polymer layer to provide enhanced structural support or protection while the first polymer layer maintains optical clarity for the display. The layers are arranged to enable folding without significant degradation of display quality or mechanical integrity. The second polymer layer may be positioned to shield internal components or reduce light leakage, improving contrast and visibility. The device may also include additional layers, such as a substrate, a barrier layer, or an adhesive layer, to further enhance flexibility, durability, and optical properties. The overall design ensures that the display remains functional and visually clear even after repeated folding cycles.
7. The foldable display device of claim 1 , wherein: the second polymer layer has a thermo-mechanical property relatively greater than that of the third polymer layer; and the thermo-mechanical property is at least one selected from the group consisting of ultimate tensile strength, initial tensile modulus, elongation at break, and glass transition temperature.
A foldable display device includes a flexible display panel with multiple polymer layers to enhance durability and flexibility. The device addresses the challenge of maintaining structural integrity and performance during repeated folding and unfolding cycles. The display panel comprises a first polymer layer, a second polymer layer, and a third polymer layer, each contributing to mechanical stability and flexibility. The second polymer layer exhibits superior thermo-mechanical properties compared to the third polymer layer, ensuring enhanced resistance to deformation and stress. These thermo-mechanical properties include ultimate tensile strength, initial tensile modulus, elongation at break, and glass transition temperature. The second polymer layer's higher tensile strength and modulus improve load-bearing capacity, while its greater elongation at break allows for more flexible deformation without failure. The higher glass transition temperature ensures stability under varying thermal conditions. The third polymer layer, with lower thermo-mechanical properties, provides complementary flexibility and reduces overall stiffness. Together, these layers form a balanced structure that withstands repeated folding while maintaining display functionality. The device is particularly useful in portable electronics where durability and flexibility are critical.
8. The foldable display device of claim 1 , wherein: the first repeated subunit organic compound is included in a first series; and the second repeated subunit organic compound and the third repeated subunit organic compound are included in a second series substantially different from the first series.
This invention relates to foldable display devices, specifically addressing the challenge of achieving durable and flexible displays with improved performance. The device includes a display panel with organic compounds arranged in distinct series to enhance flexibility and reliability. The display panel comprises a first repeated subunit organic compound in a first series and a second and third repeated subunit organic compounds in a second series that is substantially different from the first. This arrangement improves the display's ability to withstand repeated folding and unfolding without degradation. The organic compounds are selected to optimize mechanical properties, such as flexibility and resistance to fatigue, while maintaining optical performance. The different series of compounds allow for tailored material properties in different regions of the display, ensuring uniform performance across the entire panel. This design extends the lifespan of foldable displays and reduces the risk of failure due to mechanical stress. The invention is particularly useful in consumer electronics, such as smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices, where durability and flexibility are critical.
9. The foldable display device of claim 8 , wherein: the second series is an aromatic series; and the second repeated subunit organic compound has an aromatic ring density relatively greater than that of the third repeated subunit organic compound.
A foldable display device incorporates a flexible substrate with a plurality of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) layers. The OLED layers include a first series of repeated subunit organic compounds and a second series of repeated subunit organic compounds. The second series is an aromatic series, meaning it contains aromatic rings, and the second repeated subunit organic compound has a higher aromatic ring density compared to a third repeated subunit organic compound in the first series. This structural arrangement enhances the flexibility and durability of the display while maintaining optical performance. The aromatic rings in the second series improve charge transport and stability, while the lower aromatic ring density in the third series reduces stiffness, allowing the display to fold without degradation. The device is designed for use in portable electronic devices where flexibility and reliability are critical. The combination of different aromatic densities in the organic compounds optimizes both mechanical flexibility and electrical efficiency, addressing challenges in traditional OLED materials that suffer from brittleness or performance loss under repeated folding.
10. The foldable display device of claim 8 , wherein: the first series is a non-aromatic series; and the second series is an aromatic series.
A foldable display device incorporates a flexible display panel with a polymer layer containing a first series of non-aromatic polymer units and a second series of aromatic polymer units. The non-aromatic series enhances flexibility and durability, while the aromatic series improves thermal and chemical stability. The polymer layer is integrated into the display panel to enable repeated folding without degradation, addressing the challenge of maintaining structural integrity and performance in flexible displays. The combination of non-aromatic and aromatic polymer units optimizes mechanical properties, such as foldability and resistance to environmental factors, ensuring long-term reliability. This design is particularly useful for foldable smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices where durability and flexibility are critical. The polymer layer may also include additional functional groups to further enhance adhesion, transparency, or barrier properties, ensuring compatibility with various display technologies. The device's construction prevents cracking or delamination during folding, extending the lifespan of the display. This innovation addresses prior art limitations where flexible displays suffered from reduced lifespan due to material fatigue or environmental degradation.
11. The foldable display device of claim 1 , wherein the second polymer layer has a yellow index relatively greater than that of the first polymer layer.
A foldable display device includes a flexible display panel with multiple polymer layers. The device addresses the challenge of maintaining display quality and durability during repeated folding and unfolding. The display panel comprises a first polymer layer and a second polymer layer, where the second polymer layer has a higher yellow index than the first. The yellow index indicates the degree of yellowness, which can affect color accuracy and visual performance. By using a second polymer layer with a higher yellow index, the device can improve flexibility and resistance to cracking while minimizing adverse effects on display quality. The first polymer layer provides structural support and optical clarity, while the second layer enhances durability. The combination of these layers ensures the display remains functional and visually consistent even after prolonged use. This design is particularly useful in foldable smartphones, tablets, and other portable electronic devices where flexibility and longevity are critical. The invention focuses on optimizing material properties to balance mechanical performance and optical characteristics in flexible displays.
12. The foldable display device of claim 11 , wherein the second polymer layer has a yellow index relatively greater than that of the third polymer layer.
A foldable display device includes a flexible display panel with multiple polymer layers. The device addresses challenges in maintaining display quality and durability during repeated folding and unfolding. The display panel comprises a first polymer layer, a second polymer layer, and a third polymer layer. The second polymer layer has a higher yellow index than the third polymer layer, indicating it is more resistant to yellowing over time. This configuration improves optical stability and longevity, particularly in flexible displays where polymer degradation can affect color accuracy and visual performance. The second polymer layer is positioned to minimize exposure to environmental factors that cause yellowing, while the third polymer layer is optimized for flexibility and mechanical strength. The device may also include additional layers such as a protective film, adhesive layers, or a barrier layer to enhance durability and prevent moisture or oxygen ingress. The overall structure ensures the display remains functional and visually consistent despite repeated folding, addressing key limitations in flexible display technology.
13. The foldable display device of claim 1 , wherein the second polymer layer has a yellow index relatively greater than that of the third polymer layer.
A foldable display device includes a flexible display panel with multiple polymer layers to enhance durability and optical performance. The device addresses challenges in maintaining display quality and longevity under repeated folding and unfolding cycles. The display panel comprises a first polymer layer, a second polymer layer, and a third polymer layer, each contributing to structural integrity and optical properties. The second polymer layer is designed with a higher yellow index than the third polymer layer, which improves color neutrality and reduces yellowing over time. This configuration ensures that the display remains visually consistent and retains its optical performance during prolonged use. The polymer layers are selected and arranged to balance flexibility, strength, and optical clarity, addressing issues such as stress concentration and degradation in foldable displays. The device is particularly useful in portable electronics where durability and display quality are critical.
Unknown
September 15, 2020
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.